Poker Star's Untimely Death Coincides with Release of Fitness Book "Peak Performance Poker"

    SUWANEE, GA, June 12, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Peak Performance Poker, by Travis Steffen, Dimat Poker Books' latest publication, is the first book to delve into how diet, fitness, and nutrition can have a profound impact on achieving true poker potential. The book is set to hit shelves in late July 2010 and Dimat Poker Books is currently taking pre-orders.

Sadly, this release coincided with the untimely death of Poker Star Paul "Smalls" Kitsos en route to Las Vegas. Media outlets were quick to blame his weight for his death and some questioned poker's status as a sport. The connection of the body to the mind is obvious and well documented but has only recently been focused on by top poker pros. Case studies from these pros combined with proven science published in respected medical and sport science journals are the basis for Steffen's Peak Performance Methodology.

Steffen says: "I've trained a number of professional and collegiate athletes and even a UFC champion, and the most apparent concept that determined any of their successes was the level of control they had over themselves through all practices and competition. While the similarities between activities one would typically consider as "sport" and poker may not seem extremely obvious to you yet, they will be after the very first chapter. It may sound a little brassy, but Matthew (Hilger) and I like to think that this book will completely change the way you view poker as a whole.

"Today's Poker pros have a great deal in common with today's professional athletes: They've dedicated serious time to learning the fundamentals; practice regularly; strive to improve by analyzing every move; use psychology to hone your winning edge--and, if they don't take care of themselves both mentally and physically, they'll lose their winning edge."

Peak Performance Poker features interviews and quotes from some of today's top players including Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, David "The Maven" Chicotsky, "ElkY", Alec Torelli, and David "Raptor" Benefield all of whom understand crucial aspects of poker fitness, including:

"Flow"--what it means to top athletes and why it's equally important to you.

Chips on the table, not on your plate--eating right to improve your game.

Taking it easy--how essential rest and recovery really are.

Getting psyched--applying sports psychology to help you win.

Time management--the benefits of balancing poker with the rest of your life.

Matthew Hilger, Poker Pro and Dimat Poker Books owner, had this to say about the new book. "For those players who are looking for an edge in their poker game, this book marries your poker playing skills with sound advice on eating correctly, exercising and putting you completely into the right frame of mind in the time leading up to your important sessions and tournaments. Eliciting peak performance is much more than being in shape. Getting your body and your mind ready to perform at the highest level possible in ANYTHING you do requires a number of different strategies that go beyond the scope of traditional poker training - many of which are covered within the pages of Peak Performance Poker."

The modern poker table is the domain of smart, fit, healthy competitors; let PEAK PERFORMANCE POKER seat you with the best of them.

"A tribute to Smalls"
Poker blogs and poker forums have pointed out that comments by the media seem to trivialize Small's death as if some young well conditioned athlete dies from a heart attack it's tragic, but if it's an obese person then it's just his weight.

Dimat would like to take this chance to let people know a bit more about him.

55-year-old Paul "Smalls" Kitsos, a mainstay in the World Series of Poker and WSOP Circuit scene, passed away at 6:30PM this past Sunday en route to another round of tournaments at 2010 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Paul Kitsos had a short but lucrative poker career in some of North America's biggest events, making his presence felt at the 2006 Seneca World Poker Classic and the World Series of Poker. His star achievement in the world of poker was his first place finish in the Seniors Event of the 2007 US Poker Championships. In all, Mr. Kitsos won almost $375,000 at tournament poker tables. Paul "Smalls" Kitsos will be sorely missed at the tables.

Founded by poker pro Matthew Hilger in 2003 Dimat Publishing, and Dimat Online fall under the Dimat Enterprises, Inc umbrella and specialize in poker strategy and content.

Dimat Publishing has released "Internet Texas Hold'em", "Texas Hold'em Odds and Probabilities", "The Poker Mindset", "Winning Poker Tournaments One Hand at a Time, Volume 1 & 2" (with Volume 3 to be released), "Winning Strategies for Limit Hold'em" a follow-up to Hilger's "Internet Texas Hold'em", The World Poker Travel Guide, Advanced Pot-Limit Omaha (with Volume 2 to be released in 2010), and Texas Holdem Odds & Probabilites. Tournament Endgame Strategy, by Tony Guerrera and Matthew Hilger, will be released in Fall 2010.

Dimat has titles published in French, Spanish, and Italian and German, including books with #1 seller spots on Amazon International sites. Dimat continually is in ongoing discussions with publishers in other languages.

Dimat recently launched PokerBonosGratis.com to serve the Spanish Speaking Poker Players of the world and offers ebook versions of Dimat Poker Books in Spanish as well as other useful tools for the Spanish Speaking Poker Player.

Any authors or interested in being published may contact Matthew at http://pokerbooks.internettexasholdem.com.

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